Bikram Yoga

Benefits of the Heat in Bikram Yoga

The heat is a Bikram Yoga studio
is kept at 105 degrees or higher

When you walk into a Bikram studio for the first time, the first thing you'll notice is the heat. No, the air conditioning isn't broken, so don't embarrass yourself by complaining. Bikram Yoga, by definition, is practiced in a hot room, at least 105 degrees Farenheit and 40% humidity.

Although there's not a lot of scientific research that suggests that practicing yoga in a hot room is better than practicing yoga in a normal one, Bikram practitioners argue that the heat is useful for many reasons.

According to Bikram, the heat:

Helps protect the muscles to allow for deeper stretching

Allows you to experience more flexibility

Detoxifies the body

Thins the blood to clear the circulatory system

Increases heart rate for better cardiovascular workout

Improves strength by putting muscle tissue in optimal state for reorganization

Reorganizes fat in the muscular structure

Hot Yoga

You'll sometimes hear people talk about a “Hot Yoga” class or a “Hot Yoga” studio. They could be referring to the physical attributes of their classmates, but they're most likely referring to Bikram: “Hot Yoga” is simply another name for Bikram Yoga.

While the heat has positive effects for some people, it is important to remember that a 105 degree is not for everyone. Visit our section on the Benefits and Risks of Bikram Yoga for more about who should avoid the heat of a Bikram studio.

To learn more about what you'll encounter in an actual Bikram class, move on to the next page.